Adjustable socket wrench



Apr. 17, 1923.

I. C. GELLMAN ADJUSTABLE s'ocxm' WRENCH Filed Feb. 4,- 1922 Patented Apr. 17, 1923.

ISRAEL C. GELLIFIAN, F GHICAGU, ILLINOIS.

ADJUSTABLE SOCKET WRENCH.

Application filed February 4, 1922.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Isnnnn C. GELLMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ol Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Adjustable Socket renches, of which the following is a full.

clear, concise, and exact description reterence being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in wrenches. and more particularly to socket wrenches.

One of. the objects of this invention is to provide a socket wrench that adjusts itself to bolts or nuts of various sizes by means of the longitudinal pressure exerted on the wrench by the operator.

Another object is to provide a wrench 26' having separably movable independent jaw members mounted on. the wrench so that the motion of the jaw members relative to the wrench is what is technically termed motion of rectilinear translation, by which is meant that all particles otthe body in motion move with equal velocity in paths that are parallel right lines.

Another object is to provide-a wrench in which the gripping pressure of the jaws varies with the pressure exerted by the operator longitudinally to the wrench.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide a socket wrench adapted to operatively engage nuts or bolts positionedin narrow contracted spaces.

Another object is to provide a wrench constructed of a minimum number of pairs of interchangeable members.

Another object is to generally improve wrenches. I i

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

The invention will be explained and more readily understood when read in conjuno tion with the accompanying drawings. which illustrate some of the embodiments of which. the invention is susceptible, and in which,

Fig. 1 is an elevation of the preferred embodiment of the invention; i

50 Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the head member shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 1s a perspective view of one of the jaws shown in Fig. 1;

Serial No. 534.014.

Fig. 6t is a slightly modified form oi the embodiment shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a portion of an alternative embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a portion oi the structure shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a top plan of the structure shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a section along the line 88 or" Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is an elevation of another alternative embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 10 is a partial view on the line 1()10 of Fig. 9.

Similar characters designate like parts in all of the figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, Figs. 1, 2, and 4 show a socket wrench having a head member 2 which is symmetrical about the longitudinal axis wm of the wrench and is preferably constructed of two interchangeable head sect-ions 3, rigidly fastened together by rivets 4.

A pair of interchangeable jaw members 5 are mounted on head member 2. Each of the jaw members has a shank 6 mounted in a diagonal groove 7 formed in the corresponding section Grooves? preferably have an angular cross section. and extend diagonally to and intersect on the longitiv dinal axis of the wrench, so as to be symmetrical about the axis. Shank 6 its closely in groove 7 and is adapted to move therein only in a direction longitudinal of the groove, siiding over the corresponding face of the shank 6 ot the other of the jaw members 5, so that the motion'ot' the aw member relative to the head member is that known as rectilinear translation.

The inner end of shank 6 is provided with a lug 8 positioned in a groove 7 of the complementary head section and which acts as a stop to limit the outward movement of the jaw member 5 by striking against the face 9 of the other aw member. Inward movement of the jaw member is stopped by the inner end of shank 6 coming into contact with the inner end of groove 7. Jaw members 5 have their outer ends turned at an angle to shanks 6 so as to form gripping jaws 10 substantially parallel to the longitudinal. axis of the wrench. Angular recesses 1.1 are provided. in j awe 10 to engage contact as shown in dottedl nuts, bolt heads or other articles to be grippedby the jaws. The walls 12 of recesses 11 are preferably made parallel to the longitudinal axis but may be slightly inclined thereto.

It is obvious that movement the jaw positioned at their extreme outer position.

with the 10 spread to their maximum capacity. In this position the jaws occupy approximately the same space as the head. thereby enabling the wrench to be inserted in contracted spaces and to operatively enbolts positioned therein. v

Movement of the jaw members to their extreme inner position brings the jaws into hes in Fig. 1, in which position the jaws grip nuts or bolt heads of minimum size. lt hile head men ber 2 is adapted to enter relatively narrow openings, it is evident that the aws in their positions minimum spread are adapted to enter extrem ly narrow spaces and engage nuts positioned therein.

Jaws are each yieldingly held in their extreme outer positions by a coiled spring which has one end mounted in an aperture 16 in section and the other in a groove 17 formed in the upper end of shank 6. These springs permit either simultaneous or separate movement of the two members.

A handle 18 is preferably removably mounted in a soclret 19 in head member 2 and can be constructed of the form shown or of any other convenient form and made of any desired length.

The wrench is operated by placing the outer end over the nut to be engaged and pressing outwardly. thereby producing an inward longitudinal thrust on jaws 10 sufficient to overcome the outward pressure of springs 15 and to move thej aw membe in wardly in grooves 7. This inward movement of the jaw members moves the jaws towardseach other until the walls 12 engao'e the sides of the bolt or nut. The walls i2 being constantly parallel to the longitudinal axis a2-rc causes the jaws 10 to grip the en-] the face of the nut, thus avoiding any tend eucyot the jaws to slip otf of: the nut when twisting or torsional force is applied to the wrench. ll r encheshaving aws whose gripping "faces have a varying inclination to the axis of the wrench are particularly susceptible to slipping off ot the nuts. Considerable torsional force must be exerted to start tight fitting nuts and a slipping of the wrench necessarily wears off the sharp edges and otherwise mars the nuts so that it is difiicult of groove 7.

" er than the strength of the operator. 53v in this principle in combination with wing aws constantly parallel to the .ia wrencln adjustable to nuts of varying sires and with tendency to slip. has been pro id is shown a slightly modi so. wrench in which the springs 18 are omitte i oiled spring 22 is mounted in a recess armed in shanlr 6, with one end or spring 22 in sliding contact with the wall rv'pring 22, by its resilirmw yieldingly holds the jaw member in any position in which it may be placedand perits movement of the jaw member outform wardly and inwardly in groove 7 with lug 8 mo ing in the corresponding groove 7. .laws 10 are brought into engagement with the nut or bolt by pressure exerted on the jaws in a manner similar to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Upon release of the pressure, the jaws remain stationarv and retain contact with the nut so that it can be removed from or placed upona bolt positioned in an otherwise inaccessible space.

In Figs. 5. 6, 7 and 8 is shown an alternative embodiment differing from the pre terred embodiment in that a single spring member mounted on a dog 32 is substitutrl for the springs 15. Each end of spring member has a tangentially extended straight portion 26 pressing against the inner end of shank 6 so that the jaw members are yielding'ly held in their extreme outward position by the resiliency of the spring member 25. a

in Figs. 9 and 10 is shown still another alternative embodiment of my invention. A handle member 2? has formed on its outer end, preferably "forging a forked headmember comprising two prongs 28 011 which are sl-idably mounted aw members 29. Jaw members 29 are cored out to iit over prongs 2S and are held against rotation by pins 30 which a e mounted on the outer end of each prong and project therefrom sufficiently to serve as a stop to limit the outer movement or" and prevent rotation of jaw members 29. Coiled springs 31 hold the aw members 29 yieldingly in their extreme outer position in manner identical with the other embodiments of the invention as illustrated.

Thus it will be seen that an adjustable socket member has been provided having jaws whose gripping faces remain parallel to or have a constant inclination to the axis of the wrench tor all positions of the jaws and resilient means actuating the jaws with each ot said j aws movable independently of the other, and which can be economically wnstruotcd bv reason or its being composed ot a few simple interchangeable parts.

l claim:

1. In a wrench ot' the class described, a head member intersecting having grooves therein and independent separably movable jaw members mounted on the head member and iinlependcntly movable in the grooves.

2. In a wrench of the class described, head member having a pair or diagonally extending intersecting grooves formed therein. jaw member reciprocally movable in said grooves. the movement or said jaw members being limited to rectilinear transla tion and springs controlling the jaw members. 1

In a wrench oi the class described, a head member intersecting grooves therein and independent separably movable jaw members mounted on the head member and separate resilient means actuating the jaw members independently in the grooves.

4-. In a wrench of the class described, a head member having a pair of diagonally extending grooves formed therein, jaw members reciprocally movable in the grooves to open and closed position, the movement of the aw members being limited to rectilinear translation, springs positioned in each of the grooves to yieldingly hold the jaw members in their open position and a lug formed on the inner end of each jaw member that engages a face of the other jaw member when the first jaw member is in its open position.

5. In a wrench of the class described, a head member having independent separably movable jaw members mounted thereon each of said jaw members having a pair of gripping faces parallel to the longituoimil axis of the wrench for all positions of the jaw members. the movement oi? said jaw members being limited to that of rectilinear translation, and spring means for controlling the aw members.

6. In a wrench of the described,

head member having a pair oi independent separably n'iovable jaw members nnnintcd thereon, said jaw members each having a pair of gripping faces parallel to the longitndinal axis of the wrench for all positi ons of the members and resilient means controlling movement of the jaw members relative to the head member.

7. In a wrench of the class described. :2 head member having grooves adapted for mounting movable jaw members said jaw members having gripp i parallel to the longitudinal ax s wrench for all positions of the jaw members. and resilient means independently actuating the jaw members in their respective grooves. j

8. In a wrench of the class described. a head member having intersecting rectangular grooves and independent separably movable jaw members mounted therein, said j aw members closely litting said grooves and having gripping faces parallel to the longitndinal axis of thewrench for all positions of the jaw members and resilient means actuating the jaw members independently in their respective grooves.

9. In a wrench of the class described, a head member having intersecting grooves and independent movable aw membersseparably mounted therein. said aw members having apair of gripping faces parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wrench for all positions of the jaw members and resilient means actuating the jaw members outwardly and yieldingly holding the jaw members in their extreme outward position.

10. In a wrench of the class described 1 head member having diagonally extending intersecting rectangular grooves formed therein, jaw members reciprocally movable in said grooves to a sliding fit, the movement of said jaw members being limited to rectilinear translation, springs yieldingly holding each of the jaw members in its extreme outer position, and a lug on the inner end of each jaw member which limits the outward movement of the jaw members.

11. In a wrench, head member having a pair of movable jaw members mounted thereon, each oi said jaw members having a pair of gripping faces constantly parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wrench for all positions of the jaw members, and resilient means actuating the jaw members to open the same said jaw members being so mounted that an inward thrust on the ends thereof tends to close the jaw members.

12. A wrench of the class described, comprising a head member symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the wrench and having a pair of intersecting diagonally extending socketsformed in said head member, a pair of independently movable jaw members mounted in the sockets, said jaw members having aws projecting from the outer end of the head member with gripping faces parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wrench for all positions of the jaws, and a handle mounted on the inner end of the head member.

13. A wrench of the class described, comprising a head member symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the wrench and having a pair of diagonally extending sockets formed in said head member, a pair of independently movable jaw members mounted in the sockets, said jaw members having jaws projecting from the outer end of the head member with gripping faces parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wrench for all positions of the jaws, resilient means controlling the jaw members, and a ban ll removably mounted on the inner end of the head member.

14. A wrench of the class described, com prising a head member symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the wrench and having a pair of diagonally extending sockets formed in said head member, a pair of in dependently movable jaw members mounted in the sockets, said jaw members having jaws projecting from the outer end of the head member with gripping faces parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wrench for all positions of the jaws, resilient means mounted in the sockets and yieldingly holding said members in their extreme outward position, and a handle mounted on the inner end of the head member.

15. In a wrench of the class described, a head member "symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the wrench, and having pair of diagonally extending sockets formed therein and intersecting on the longitudinal of the head member, each with a plurality of gripping faces parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wrench for all positions of the jaw members, said gripping faces forming an angular recess in each of said jaws, a coiled spring mounted in the inner end of each socket so as to yieldingly hold the jaw members in extreme outward position, said sockets being so positioned that outward movement of the jaw members tends to open the aws and inward movement oi the jaw members tends to close the jaws, and a handle removably mounted on the inner end of the head member.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 1st day of February, A. D., 1922. a

ISRAEL C. GELLMAN.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certifiedthat in Letters Patent No. 1,451,873, granted April 17, 1923, upon the application of Israel C. Gellmamxfi Chicago, Illinois for an in'iprovement in Adjustable Socket renches, errors appear in the printedspecification requiring eorrection as follows: Page 3, lines 10 and 23, claims 1 and 3, for the words intersecting having read firming tote meeting,' same page, line 17, claim 2, for the word member read members; and that the said Letters Patent should he read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 29th day of May, A. 1)., 1923.

[SEAL] KARL FENNING,

Acting Uom-mz'ssionw' 0/ Puzzents. 

